Isle Royale National Park, Michigan

The Beaver House caught my attention, as you can see. I was on my way up to Grand Portage in Minnesota and stopped at Grand Marais for some coffee. I nearly jerked my neck off while passing this sporting goods store. Everything you need for fishing, that's for sure!

At Grand Portage I camped on Lake Superior with the Chippewa Native Americans, before taking the boat over to Isle Royale. The Native Americans were very sweet to me, which was especially appreciated in such a far-away place. I must have been sweet to the bugs, as they came to visit me in  horrendous clouds of mosquitoes and black flies. Crazy.

The Voyageur II was the boat that took me on a 2-hour ride over to Isle Royale in Lake Michigan. Great crew, fast ride. I didn't even get sick. That made me happy.

There are several places you can land on the island, and I chose Windigo on the southwest end of the island. On shore I pensively waited for my backpack to be unloaded, and then I was on my way.

 Isle Royale is a remote car-free island in Lake Superior with 36 campgrounds and a lodge on the far eastern side of the island. The lodge was out of my price range so I got to sleep in the dirt.

Backpacking is not my favorite mode of travel, but in order to see Isle Royale, you have to do some walking. That would be me, bravely walking 4 1/2 miles to my campsite in Huginnin's Cove. Most people walked the entire length of the island about 40 miles, but I knew this gal would collapse and croak if I tried that. Along the trail, I surprised a moose and he turned around so fast and galloped away like a horse. Surprising for such a large animal.

At last I reached my little campsite in Huginnins Cove.  I had to filter my water, which didn't go so well, so I decided to boil it instead and promptly ran out of gas after the second day. Then I had to eat cold food and drink cold instant coffee, with water filtered by my questionable water filter.

After setting up camp I spent the rest of my time building fires, exploring and taking pictures. I saw thousands of rocks, but did not take any as Isle Royale is a National Park, and you cannot take anything.

One of the other hikers told me he saw ice on the trail by the water, so one morning I set out to find it. Sure enough huge blocks of ice sat in a small cove, slowly melting in the warm sun.

Fragile flower blooming in the rocks and dirt.

Perfect reflection in Lake Superior. I saw all kinds of wild birds while camping on Isle Royale; an Osprey catching two fish, very large seagulls, wild geese and ducks. You can barely see the birds in my pictures, so I didn't even post.

My sister Dorothy is the one who got me looking for mushrooms. When I went to Alaska I found hundreds of mushrooms and started taking pictures for my sister, then I got hooked and started taking pictures for myself. Eventually I will look them up and get the proper names.

A small butterfly on the rocks.

This wonderful family, Becky and her dad, plus her two nephews were camping alongside of me for one night. She watched over me as well as her own family.

On the last day at Huginnins Cove, everyone that was camping with me packed up and hiked out. I had the whole place to myself and explored to my hearts content. It was wonderful! The following morning the Merganser ducks were making so much noise that it woke me up.  I jumped out of bed, got dressed and rushed out hoping to see them swimming. They were out there, but so far away I couldn't get a good picture, however, the sunrise was spectacular!

On my way out, I had to cross dozens of these little bridges, very difficult with my heavy pack on as most of them had no handrails. By the time I got back to Windigo I was very tired. Had to spend one more night, where I saw another moose wading in Washington Creek.  The following morning I woke up with a raging migraine, and was puking in a large baggie while trying to pack up, when a ranger came by. She was so kind and packed all my stuff, carried my pack, and helped me to the boat dock. I had to wait several hours for the boat, and was absolutely miserable. Surprisingly Becky, the gal I had met at the cove, came by and along with several other ladies helped me into the shade, brought me a drink and kept checking on me. Its all a blur, but I made it back on the boat, rode with the wind and the rain, found my car on the mainland and drove away. God bless all those people who helped me!

It wasn't long before I was feeling better and headed over to Ely to find a place to camp.  Along the way, this house caught my eye, and I took a picture of the photographer getting ready to take his picture!

One last reflection in a pond and I will say good-bye. I thank the Lord for taking care of me on that trip and sending people to help me. He is a good, good God, and I am loved by Him! Good night to one and all. Susan Little

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan

 Mackinaw City in the UP which is the upper peninsula of Michigan. I couldn't figure out what people were talking about until I asked someone, "What is the U-P?" They looked at me like I was crazy. I guess I am crazy to drive all the way up here.

 I loved Mackinaw City, which is actually a village I think. Brightly colored tulips adorned the walkways and streets.

Beautiful wharf in Mackinaw City. I walked up and down, drinking coffee and exploring.

The Mackinac Bridge, a huge suspension bridge over the Straits of Mackinac, that joins the Lower and Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

At last I reached Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes.

It made me so happy to be cold! I get migraines when it is too hot, so I always rejoice when it is cold.

The shore below my campsite on Hurricane River. So pretty! But it is not allowed to take any rocks. Sad. I just had to look and take pictures.

So many rocks to see, and touch and feel. So much fun.

From my campsite, I took a walk down to the Au Sable lighthouse. A pretty walk along the lake shore.

The Hurricane River flows right down into Lake Superior. It was so exciting to discover so many new things.

In the Miners Castle area, I walked all along the boardwalk and around the sculpted rocks.

At one point, I looked over the edge into the clear waters of Lake Superior,  straight down to the bottom!

The minerals staining the sandstone prompted the name "Pictured Rocks." Such a beautiful, clear cove, aquamarine in color. Felt like I was in the Caribbean!

 In Munising, I walked out to the falls and met some very nice older couples.

Munising Falls, a beautiful waterfall tumbling over the sandstone for 50 feet.

Forget-Me-Nots, a sight to behold. I guess everyone doesn't feel that way as the park was getting ready to pull out all the Forget-Me-Nots because they are considered invasive!

An old house along the way, a photographer ready to take a picture, me taking a picture of the photographer taking a picture!

Just one of the many ponds, streams, creeks, rivers, lakes, and waterfalls in the area! Water, water everywhere!

Handsome fishermen, getting ready to do some fly fishing at Agate Falls.

I was so surprised to find this beautiful little Waxwing bird and her mate on the shore of Lake Superior. Blessings and farewell to you and yours. Susan Little 

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

 Camping in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was quite the experience. After leaving the Blue Ridge Parkway, I headed north to Ohio. I had previously made a reservation at the primitive campsite and had no idea what to expect. All alone is what I got. That first night there was a horrific thunder and lightening storm, and I lay there in that little orange tent safe and dry!

 Cuyahoga Valley National Park at one time was home to Native Americans, European explorers, trappers, and homesteaders. It wasn't until the year 2000, that the area became a national park and now preserves 33,000 acres along 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River between Cleveland and Akron, Ohio. The Boston Store Visitor Center is housed in this old restored 1836 structure on the canal towpath.

Cuyahoga Valley is an interesting national park nestled in-between busy cities. Private homes and restored structures mingle with the natural surroundings.

 One of the best way to see the park is on bicycle, a popular mode of travel. I chose to walk the trails and had to be wary of crazy cyclists whizzing past me.

 I had a lot of fun exploring the park and discovering the new and old, as well as tasty ice-cream!

From my campsite, I walked along the trail to Brandywine Falls.

It was a beautiful walk through a forest of tall skinny trees, downed wood, fern and small creeks.

An assortment of green, in various forms.

 My legs were tired by the time I got to Brandywine Falls, but what a treat. This view is from the top of the Falls and allowed me to get a good perspective of the 65 feet of water rushing down into the gorge. What a wonderful sound that is!

Beautiful, Brandywine Falls in Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio.

 That would be in front of the waterfall!

 One afternoon I took a walk down to the Beaver Marsh. Along the way I spotted this reflection of clouds mingling with the water lilies.

I have never seen so much green in my life! Everywhere I turn it is raining and green.

Sweet little white flowers along the way.

Another sighting of clouds in the water. Would love to be able to paint this picture. Maybe it will inspire someone to get out their paints and brushes and get to work!

I was looking into the marsh to try to spot the beavers when I noticed quite a racket going on above me. It was a mother bird feeding her babies. Here the baby is poking his head out of his home in the tree, and is patiently waiting for food!

Just look at those red mouths wide open and waiting! I watched her go back and forth so many times until it started to rain. At first I just sat there in the rain as it isn't cold, but then I continued to explore. Never did see any beaver, but saw signs of beaver along the way.

Another spot I visited was Blue Hen Falls, a short trip across the bridge and down the trail to the falls. When I first arrived I had the place to myself. Very peaceful.

Blue Hen Falls, a pretty waterfall that originates in Spring Creek and falls 15 feet over sandstone and shale. Thank you Lord for so many beautiful places!

Indigo Lake, a man made lake created by the National Park Service to fill an old quarry. The lake is fed from local springs and is a great place to sit and relax or even fish. People are always asking me if I fish. The answer is always no. There you have it.

One last look on my way out of Cuyahoga Valley. Good bye to one and all. May God be with you and keep you during rain, snow, lightening, thunder, drought, as well as the good and bad days.